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Behind every 911 call is a story of courage, calm, and connection. Jeff Perkins explores what happens between the caller, the call taker, and the first responder — and why those invisible moments matter more than ever.

When the world feels out of control, one number connects us all: 911.

In this powerful solo episode of The EOC Podcast: Emergency Operations Conversations, Jeff Perkins takes listeners inside the hidden world of emergency communications — from the terrified caller to the calm, steady voice on the other end, and from the dispatcher’s console to the first responder racing toward the unknown.

You’ll hear how call takers translate chaos into clarity, how dispatchers bridge emotion and action, and how empathy, leadership, and trust keep communities safe.
Through vivid storytelling and real-world insight, Jeff reminds us that 911 is more than a number — it’s a national promise that no one faces their worst day alone.

In this episode, you’ll discover:
• Why communication is the heartbeat of every emergency response
• What 911 professionals experience behind the headset
• How empathy and composure can save lives in seconds
• The human stories that rarely make headlines but change lives every day

Whether you’re in public safety, emergency management, or simply want to understand what really happens when you call for help, this episode will change how you think about 911 — forever.

🎧 Listen. Reflect. Share.
Because behind every emergency, there’s a voice that chose to care.

00:00 – Introduction: The moment before the call
04:00 – The Number We All Know
12:00 – The Sound of Crisis
22:00 – The Bridge Between Worlds
29:00 – A Tale of Two Moments
39:00 – The Human Cost and Quiet Heroes
47:00 – Connection and Trust
52:00 – Humor and Humanity
57:00 – Evolution of 911
1:03:00 – Conversation with Silence
1:09:00 – Closing Reflections: Why 911 Matters

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When disaster strikes and communications fail, leadership and relationships make all the difference. In this episode of The EOC Podcast: Emergency Operations Conversations, host Jeff Perkins sits down with Greg Hauser, North Carolina’s Statewide Interoperability Coordinator (SWIC) and Vice Chair of the National Council of SWICs, to talk about what it truly takes to keep people connected when everything else goes dark.

Greg shares lessons learned from leading communications during hurricanes, floods, and national events, and how North Carolina’s Emergency Support Function 2 (ESF-2) continues to innovate under pressure. Together, Jeff and Greg explore the human side of interoperability — where trust, humility, and teamwork matter as much as the technology itself.

Listeners will hear first-hand stories from Hurricane Helene, reflections on how communities step up when systems go down, and a candid look at the future of emergency communications.

Whether you’re in emergency management, public safety, or just passionate about resilience, this conversation delivers insight, leadership, and heart — proving that true interoperability starts with relationships.

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🎙️ EOC Podcast: Emergency Operations Conversations
Series: Federal Firestorm – The FEMA Files
Episode 2: “Grants, Gaps, and the Great Freeze: How States Are Navigating FEMA’s Changing Grant Landscape”

As federal disaster policy undergoes a seismic shift, local emergency managers are left in a holding pattern. In Episode 2 of our Federal Firestorm series, we dive deep into the turbulence surrounding FEMA’s grant programs—past, present, and future.

We examine the Trump administration’s recent cancellation of FEMA’s BRIC program, the freezing of billions in grant disbursements, and the growing tension between federal oversight and local autonomy. Drawing comparisons to the Biden-era initiatives aimed at equity and climate resilience, this episode explores how evolving philosophies about disaster governance are reshaping funding priorities on the ground.

From halted wildfire mitigation in Arizona to cyber readiness projects stalled in Illinois, the ripple effects are real—and mounting. We ask critical questions:
🔹 What happens when preparedness programs lose funding mid-stream?
🔹 How should local agencies respond when the federal safety net begins to fray?
🔹 If FEMA steps back, who steps up—and how?

Whether you're an emergency manager, policymaker, or concerned citizen, this episode offers an in-depth, fact-based look at a pivotal moment in U.S. emergency management—and what’s at stake for the communities who depend on it.

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